Editor's Note

Dear Reader,

So you’ve been sneaking a few minutes here and there while at work to check your personal e-mail account or to check up on the latest celebrity buzz. You know you shouldn’t, but it’s hard to resist! According to a British study, taking small “e-breaks” at work is actually a good thing!

The study found that workers who were allowed to take small e-breaks came back feeling more productive. The study also found these breaks boost morale and reduce stress. Who’s not up for a little morale boost and stress relief?

I like to think of an e-break as this generation’s coffee break or smoke break. Many of us don’t leave our desks unless we’re headed to the bathroom or to lunch, so I think these mini breaks are necessary to keep people productive. Just like a car eventually runs out of gas if it’s not refueled, a person runs out of steam if they’re not recharged.

I find being able to step back from a project I’m working on allows me to reenergize my thoughts. Perhaps I’m stuck trying to figure out a problem and focusing my thoughts elsewhere allows me to come back with a clear head. But let’s not get carried away. A short 10-minute break is ok. An hour-long break is not.

So, what do you think about taking e-breaks? Does an e-break help you stay more productive? Or does your company ban certain Web sites so you can’t browse the Internet?